A Sound Game

Sound seems to be lacking in its support for any 3D Standards at all, on both machines with A3D and EAX the scan failed to turn up any devices for 3D Sound. 'Direct Sound' is fine but I can't help feeling what the game might have been like had I been able to actually hear that huge cruiser going over my head and behind me, rather than just above and in front of me. Still the game sound itself is strong and powerful, matching perfectly to the field of play. The Music seems to be the same as the originals and I think they re-used a lot of tracks again; thankfully they haven't worn out so while familiar they remain quality.

The Verdict

Compare FS2 to FS1 and you might find it to be a bit like an add-on pack, however look at it in it's own right and it's much more. Still suffering from a sparse layout of environments with mission objectives that are always shoot and kill even if they don't first seem it. Graphically nothing that really strikes you as being new other than the nebula and lovely beam effects. Misses out on good 3D sound, has some rather sparsely used and boring cut sequences, yet sets the scene.

Fact of the matter is this is a good fun game, its story is interesting and the plot line changes during missions quite often giving added depth. True it could have done with some more pizzazz but I loved it and completed it with a smile on my face that still remains, even if I am dizzy from the nebula.

by Mark 'KILLZAT' Jackson

Graphics - 8 Sound - 8 Originality - 7 Gameplay - 8.5

Overall - 8 (80%)

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